Ruczaj - urban regeneration

Ruczaj is a large housing estate in southern Krakow. This urban regeneration project deals with its oldest part, built in the 1980's. Most of project-covered area is stretched between three streets Grota-Roweckiego, Kobierzyńska and Zachodnia (approximately 50 hectares of land, inhabited by 7000 people).

Ruczaj is a typical example of urban development in the communist era and suffers from various problems. Its high population density mixed with virtually non-existent infrastructure (other than that of housing nature), causes alienation, non-existent local identity and poor participation in civil society among the residents.

This area has a high potential, with a scenic flooded quarry, forests and large meadows and proximity to the city centre. These assets, combined with the current problems and many potential beneficiaries, make Ruczaj a prime candidate for urban regeneration.

The design stage was preceded by landscape, architectural and botanical analysis of the area as well as inventarization of existing greenery. Also, resident's input was gathered and taken into account. Students from a local primary school participated in a workshop and sketched facilities they would like to be built in the neighbourhood. Informational posters were placed throughout the estate, asking residents to visit a dedicated Internet discussion board, to share their ideas and to point problems related to project's area of interest.